A Milimani court has granted the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) 30 days to detain three suspects linked to the murder of Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso, as detectives pursue further leads into the killing.
Presiding Magistrate Paul Mutai allowed an application by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), saying the matter was serious and required more time for investigators to complete their investigations.
The three suspects will be held at Ruaraka, Pangani and Gigiri police stations, respectively, pending completion of the investigations.
The matter is scheduled to be mentioned on 10 September 2026.The suspects are Elijah Kibelion Kimoi, Daniel Mwangi Njoroge and Kevin Ngugi Kinuthia, who are being investigated over the murder of Dr Mutiso.
According to an affidavit filed by Corporal Romana Odour of the DCI Homicide Investigations Bureau, the investigation concerns an alleged murder contrary to Sections 203 and 204 of the Penal Code.
Dr Mutiso, a former Director of the African Institute of Mental and Brain Health, was fatally shot on 29 July 2026 in Upper Hill, Kilimani, Nairobi County, while inside a motor vehicle bearing registration number KDJ 609D.
Investigators told the court that they had recovered and examined a Mini Jericho pistol, serial number 47302127, together with two spent cartridges and a bullet head. Preliminary ballistic examination allegedly linked the recovered ammunition to the firearm used in the killing.
The court also heard that detectives had recovered CCTV footage and call-data records and had detained several vehicles and a motorcycle believed to be connected to the incident.
These included motor vehicles KDJ 609D, KDH 600A and KDE 400W, as well as motorcycle KMGZ 980D, which investigators say require further forensic examination.
According to the prosecution, preliminary investigations indicate that the first respondent, Elijah Kibelion Kimoi, is suspected of firing the fatal shot.
The second respondent, Daniel Mwangi Njoroge, is alleged to have driven a black Prado, registration number KDH 600A, which blocked the Uber Toyota Passo, registration number KDJ 609D, in which the deceased had boarded.
The third respondent, Kevin Ngugi Kinuthia, is alleged to have used motorcycle KMGZ 980D to drop and later evacuate the first respondent from the scene.
However, investigators told the court that despite these preliminary findings, it would be premature to charge the three suspects before all investigative leads had been exhausted.
The DCI said it was still pursuing other suspected participants, some of whom remain at large, and feared that releasing the suspects could result in interference with witnesses, collusion, flight, concealment or destruction of evidence.
Further investigations are expected to include recovery of other firearms suspected to have been used in the incident, ballistic analysis, forensic examination of CCTV footage and call-data records, examination of the detained vehicles and motorcycle, recording of outstanding witness statements and identification of the respective roles of all those involved.
The prosecution also told the court that some suspects and accomplices connected to the case were already in custody or were being pursued.
It cited an earlier Milimani Chief Magistrate’s Court order in Republic v Rose Mbithe Mulwa alias Rose Mbithe Ndetei and Chris Mulwa, involving other suspects in the same investigation.
The prosecution further argued that the case had generated significant public interest and that the identities of the suspects had become known to the public and the deceased’s family.
It said their continued detention was also necessary to protect them from possible retaliation, mob justice or other threats to their safety.
Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso was shot dead on 29 July 2026 while travelling in an Uber Toyota Passo in Upper Hill, Nairobi.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting prompted a homicide investigation by the DCI.
Investigators say the deceased had previously made reports concerning threats against her, and they are seeking to establish whether those threats were connected to her killing.
Detectives are also pursuing information concerning persons who may have trailed her before the murder and are working to identify all individuals involved in the incident.
The investigation has consequently expanded beyond the three suspects currently before court, with detectives seeking to establish the full chain of events leading to the shooting and the respective roles of the alleged participants.
Magistrate Paul Mutai consequently allowed the prosecution’s application for continued detention, granting investigators additional time to complete the outstanding inquiries.
The three suspects will remain in custody at Ruaraka Police Station, Pangani Police Station and Gigiri Police Station, respectively, as detectives pursue further evidence.
The matter will come up for mention on 10 September 2026, when the court is expected to receive an update on the progress of the investigations.
